Lot 545: 30 Vols. George Eliot 1st Editions; Mill on the Floss, Silas Marner, Deronda, etc.

Twenty-seven (27) First Edition books by George Eliot, (pseudonym of Mary Ann Evans), plus three (3) biographical books by her husband, J.W. Cross. Published by Edinburgh and London: William Blackwood & Sons, 1858-84, except where noted. Hardcover 12mos. Uniform late 19th C. bindings by Stikeman & Co., 3/4 brown calf and marbled papers; with gilt stamped covers and spines, five raised hubs, with marbled paper pastedowns and endpapers, gilt top edges. Includes: 

SCENES OF CLERICAL LIFE, Vol. I-II, 1858; 

ADAM BEDE, Vol. I-III, 1859; 

THE MILL ON THE FLOSS, Vol. I-III, 1860; 

SILAS MARNER: THE WEAVER OF RAVELOE, 1861; 

ROMOLA, Vol. I-III, published by Smith, Elder, and Company, London, 1863; 

FELIX HOLT, THE RADICAL, Vol. I-III, 1866; 

THE SPANISH GYPSY: A POEM, 1868; 

THE LEGEND OF JUBAL AND OTHER POEMS, 1874, with original erratum slip bound in;

DANIEL DERONDA, Vols. I-IV (in 8 books), 1876; Original Gray-green wrappers bound in rear of each; Erratum slip bound in Book 3 (absent from book 6), all announcements of following volumes present; advertisements in books 1 and 7;

IMPRESSIONS OF THEOPHRASTUS SUCH, 1879, with original Publisher’s Note bound in;

ESSAYS AND LEAVES FROM A NOTEBOOK, 1884.

Also includes GEORGE ELIOT’S LIFE AS RELATED IN HER LETTERS AND JOURNALS, Vol. I-III, First Edition, by J.W. Cross, 1885;

Ex libris plates of Henry William Poor and Lillian Stokes Gillespie.  Ranging in size from 7 in H x 4 1/2 in W to 8 5/8 in H x 6 in. W.  Note: Lillian May (Stokes) Gillespie (1869-1915) was an independently wealthy socialite from the Stokes family of New York, a line of enormously successful financiers and merchants.  Henry William Poor (1844 – 1915) was an American banker, stockbroker, author, and book collector.

PROVENANCE:

Private Nashville collection. 

CONDITION:

Covers in overall good condition with wear to hinges, scattered rubbing/losses to leather, corners bumped. Bookplates to each. Pencil notations to front papers. Period dated owner’s signatures to two volumes. Pages in overall Fine condition with toning, scattered foxing. Book 7 of Daniel Deronda with 3/4″ chip to front marbled endpaper; book 6 tear to rear endpaper.